Four-time champion Vettel had indicated after the race that he realised there may be a problem with his defence against Ricciardo.

"I want to look at it again; he [Ricciardo] told me to. I am fighting hard and am supposed to give him just enough room," Vettel said.

Vettel celebrates his podium after Verstappen's demotion, only to lose it himself later

"I know Daniel is sometimes optimistic going for a gap. I knew he would go for it whatever the cost. I tried to defend; we made contact. That is not ideal. That's why I want to look at it again.

"If there was something, I will talk to him. Before that, Max was brake-testing me into the first two corners. I was very upset with the fact Max held me up and didn't move and made me run into Daniel."

Ricciardo said before learning of the penalty: "He doesn't deserve to be up there. I thought I had every right to be there but he kept closing the door under braking. I was frustrated with that."

The rule Vettel broke was only introduced specifically at last week's US Grand Prix.

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Formula 1: Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel on poor season

It was a rule clarification issued by race director Charlie Whiting on a specific issue that has caused controversy this year because many drivers felt Verstappen had transgressed their gentleman's agreement not to move under braking.

Ironically, Vettel was one of the prime critics of Verstappen's driving.

The new clarification states: "Any change of direction under braking which results in another driver having to take evasive action will be considered abnormal and hence potentially dangerous to other drivers. Any such move will be reported to the stewards."

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